Can Auditory and Visual Speech Perception Be Trained Within a Group Setting?

Abstract

Purpose This study attempted to determine whether auditory-only and auditory-visual speech perception could be trained in a group format. Method A randomized controlled trial with at least 16 participants per group was completed. A training-only group completed at least 5 hr of group speech perception training; a training plus psychosocial group completed at least 5 hr of group speech perception training and psychosocial exercises; and a control group did not receive training. Evaluations were conducted before and after training and included analytic and synthetic measures of speech perception, hearing loss–related and generic quality of life scales, and a class evaluation form. Results No significant group changes were measured on any of the analytic auditory-only or auditory-visual measures of speech perception, yet the majority of training participants (regardless of training group) reported improvement in auditory and auditory-visual speech perception. The training participants demonstrated a significant reduction on the emotional subscale of the hearing loss–related quality of life scale, while the control participants did not demonstrate a change on this subscale. Conclusions Benefits of group audiologic rehabilitation classes may not result from an actual improvement in auditory or visual speech perception abilities, but participants still perceive training in these areas as useful.